Principal's Post, March 2014

March 14, 2014

Dear Dobson families and friends,

We have been busy bees here at the Dobson School. Check out what has been happening lately…

The PSSA Prep season is in full swing and we have not let a few snowflakes get in our way! Despite the snow days in January and February, all classes have their eyes in the prize: Proficient and beyond on the 2014 PSSA. 

During the PSSA prep season, the Buzy Bee has been traveling around classrooms, catching all the action; the PPAA  (Principal’s Perfect Attendance Association) is happening right now (through to the end of the testing period- April 4^th), helping students get the most out of the prep season by highlighting perfect daily attendance and perfect punctuality.  

We celebrated our annual Dr. Seuss day on Wednesday March 5^th, sponsored, once again, by our friends at Expert Technology Associates of Plymouth Meeting. Featuring birthday cakes from Roma Bakery for every classroom and a donated book for every class library, the day was a huge success, with guest readers visiting all classrooms. E.T.A. has been a part of Read Across America at Dobson School for the past 6 years. We are very grateful. On that day, we were also honored with the presence of Representative Pam DeLissio, representative of the 194^th district in Harrisburg, and a great friend of Philadelphia’s public schools. Now, the students of room 101 are Rep. DeLissio’s great friends!

On March 11^th, a contingent from the Dobson School was invited to the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Quarterly Meeting at The Bellevue. The Chancellor of the Bar Association has chosen to use his tenure as leader of the most prestigious organization to call attention to the importance of supporting the public schools of our city. To that end, Chancellor Fedullo, along with keynote speaker Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Hite, announced a program for law firms to sponsor a Philadelphia public school. Mr. Fedullo’s firm is sponsoring Dobson! Attending the luncheon, along with the principal, was the Home and School President Lauren Tom, Student Council President, 8^th grader Sydni Edwards, Student Safety Patrol Captain, 8^th grader Seth Williams, fourth grader Maurice Arnold and second grader Jayden Tom. One highlight of the day occurred during the pre-meeting reception to which we were invited, where our students mingled with judges, lawyers and elected officials. District Attorney Seth Williams had an opportunity to meet Dobson’s Seth Williams. As they are both in law enforcement, they had much to talk about!

TOO MUCH TO FIT INTO ONE MONTH! This was the tagline for this year’s African American History Assembly, held on March 12^th. The Dance Team and Choir dazzled the audience of students, teachers and parents, while students from the classrooms shared their learning about the rich contributions of African Americans to the fabric of American history.

On Friday, March 14^th, we celebrated our annual ‘Doors of Dobson’ door-decorating contest. This PSSA stress buster has become a tradition within the walls of our school and caps off our prep season. There’s quite a healthy competition among classes, making for a tough decision among our honored judges: Chancellor Fedullo, Karen Buck, Esq., Debbie Smith, V.P. E.T.A., and Kim Wood, Project Manager of Destination Schuylkill River. Dr. Karen Kolsky, Assistant Superintendent of L.N. #6 was able to join us as well and walked the building, appreciating the presentations. The 2014 winners are: tied for 3^rd place- Room 313 (Showers of PSSA tips) and Room 308/Grade 8 (Lego World). Second Place- Room 206/Grade 3 (the Pirates!) and the winners are …Room 309/Grade 8- We've Got the Magic! All the Doors of Dobson are impressive and we welcomed opportunity to showcase the creativity of our students; our visitors were duly amazed!  Click here to see all of the amazing doors!

Our next school-wide event is scheduled for Friday, March 21^st, at 9:00a when our favorite legislator, Rep. Pam DeLissio will serve as the keynote speaker at the installation of the Student Council and Safety Patrol.  

Dobson School- where the action is… Come swim with best school of fish in this big sea of learning- the Dobson Dolphins will lead the way! I couldn’t be more proud to serve as Principal.

Sincerely,

Ms. Cruice

#proudprincipal

 Philadelphia Bar Association's Quarterly Meeting at The Bellevue

So proud of Dobson's Seth Williams, captain of Dobson's Safety Patrol, here with D.A. Seth Williams @ the Phila. Bar Ass'n Quarterly Mtg @ the Bellevue last week!

D.A. Seth Williams with 8th grader and Student Council President Sydni Williams @ the Bellevue #proudprincipal

On our way to the Bellevue Hotel!

On our way to the Bellevue Hotel!

On our way to the Bellevue Hotel!

Dobson Representatives with Chancellor Fedullo

 Dr. Seuss Day

 

Principal's Post

February 2013

 

Dear Dobson dolphins,

 

February is Black History Month; February also ushers in what can be known as the ‘season of love’, thanks to Valentine’s Day situated right in the middle of this month. In my mind the two are inextricably connected, for, of all the rich colors that the story of African Americans contributes to the fabric of our American tapestry, the message that love conquers all is the brightest and most hopeful.

Martin Luther King said it best: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Of all the lessons we learn studying our country’s history, the lesson of perseverance that the stories of great African Americans, famous and not so famous, comes from a common place of hope… hope for a better day and a belief that we can contribute to the creation of this better day. This is what it means to be American, to embrace an optimistic stance. Before action is the right attitude. I’m sharing this brief video to remind you of the right attitude needed in order for us all to contribute to a better classroom, school, city and country. There is no place for hate, or bullying or meanness of any kind… in our heart, our house, our school. Watch this video; internalize the lesson of love that was the life’s work of the great Dr. Martin Luther King and, Happy February!

 

With Love,

Ms. Cruice 

Click Here to watch the "Let's End Hate" Video 

Note from the Principal!

The 2012-2013 school year is truly off and running.  Many of our after school programs have begun! From Cinderella and Students Run to Soccer and Volleyball, our students are already busy preparing for tournaments and events coming later this year.

Thanks again to all of the families that attended Back to School Night and, once more, welcome all of our new and returning families to Dobson. It is my hope that we provided a small snapshot of the learning environment and activities that your children thrive in each day.

This year, Dobson is going hi-tech.  With an unprecedented level of access to student computers, many of our programs have gone online!

This week marks the beginning of our First In Math Program.  Students will be given their log-on information and can begin earning stickers!  Our First In Math competition at Dobson is very steep!

Another program that your students may have been talking about with you is Achieve3000, also known as KidBiz3000 or TeenBiz3000.   Similar to First In Math, students can log-in and earn points as they read non-fiction articles. 

“Achieve3000 is a web-based differentiated K-12 reading program that uses email, technology, and current events to strengthen students’ literacy skills. Based on scientific research on how children learn to read effectively, Achieve3000 helps students reach and exceed the appropriate reading and writing levels through individualized teaching.”

Our goal at Dobson, for each student using the Achieve 3000 program in grades 3-8,  is to complete a minimum of 2 activities a week.  This means that your child will log on during the school day and read assigned articles and complete PSSA structured questions and aligned activities. These activities allow students to practice reading and decoding questions and informational texts similar to what they will see on the PSSA all year long.   Each activity completed at a 75% score or higher allows students to earn points.   

OCTOBER is busy! In addition to our bi-weekly Fun Friday activities and the Student of the Month Assembly, we are looking forward to a Lower School (k-4) Costume Parade on Halloween, hosted by the Home and School, and an Upper School (5-8) Fall Dance in the gym, both occurring in the afternoon of October 31^st.

…. Coming soon: November will bring awareness of the national election, with a Dobson Election event courtesy of our students in rooms 106, 104, and 203.  This assembly will help students become more familiar with, not only the election process, but also the candidates and the political parties they represent. Soon after this event, our own election process for Student Council in the Upper School is scheduled. 

Here’s to a great start of our new year and the fabulous fall is has been thus far!

Ms. Cruice, Proud Principal of the Dobson Dolphins